By David Kibirige
Aug 1 , 2004 - Monitor
| KAMPALA - Government has cautioned Buganda kingdom to avoid confrontation while demanding for federalism, popularly known as federo.
Government Spokesman and Minister of Information, Dr James Nsaba Buturo told Sunday Monitor yesterday that the �people at Mengo�, the seat of Buganda kingdom, should be very cautious and avoid confrontation for the good of all stakeholders. �Mengo should have faith in government because consultations and negotiations are still going on. They should avoid confrontation. I have heard about the mourning and other activities, which are not in the spirit of harmony.� �They should be very reasonable as this is a very sensitive matter which does not involve two or five people but millions and scores of tribes,� Buturo said. He added, Mengo has the right to demonstrate and mourn but added that they should �weigh how they will benefit from some actions.� On Friday, the Kabaka of Buganda, Ronald Muwenda Mutebi, called for the building of a mighty Buganda based on the pillars and property which the kingdom�s ancestors handed over to the present generation. He was opening a one-day workshop on federalism organised by Buganda clan leaders. The workshop came amid talks between the government and Mengo over its demand for a federal status, which entails the inclusion of Kampala city in Buganda and the return of 9,000 square miles of crown land. �During this period you have heard much and you will hear much more, but our intention is to see that we develop Buganda and Uganda as a whole and deliver our people from the throes of poverty and disease,� said the Kabaka amidst chants by thousands of people who attended the seminar at his Mengo palace. The Spokesman of the Buganda government, also Secretary to Cabinet at Mengo, Mr Charles Peter Mayiga said mourning is a peaceful way of expressing displeasure. �If honourable Nsaba Buturo does not want people to be in a sombre mood then he should influence government to give people what they want so that they jubilate,� said Mayiga. He added, though negotiations are still going on it is not the first time government is ignoring the wishes and demands of the people. �I think Mr Buturo remembers that during the promulgation of the 1995 constitution, there were wide consultations and people submitted their views which were all ignored.� He said the Kabaka wants the people to be firm but steadfast. A Mengo delegation will on Tuesday meet President Yoweri Museveni for more talks on Buganda�s federo demands. |
� 2004 The Monitor Publications
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